Oliver Glasner will return to Selhurst Park on Sunday with a complicated reception likely to await him, but Crystal Palace supporters should remember the extraordinary success he delivered during his time in south London.
The Austrian established himself as the most successful manager in Palace’s history after guiding the Eagles to the FA Cup, the Europa Conference League and the Community Shield. His final match in charge was a 1-0 victory over Rayo Vallecano in Leipzig in May.
Glasner chose to leave Palace at the end of last season before taking charge of Nottingham Forest during the summer. That decision has damaged his standing with some Eagles supporters, particularly as a new rivalry has developed between the clubs.
The tension has also been fuelled by Forest taking Palace’s place in the 2025-26 Europa League after Palace breached UEFA’s multi-club ownership rules. Palace’s subsequent demotion into the Conference League ultimately gave Glasner the opportunity to win that competition, while Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis is suing Palace over a banner displayed by supporters at Selhurst Park last season.
Palace chairman Steve Parish has called for Glasner to receive a “fantastic reception” and for supporters to look beyond the surrounding “pantomime narratives”. Glasner has moved on to another club, as others in football do, but that should not erase what he achieved for Palace. Whatever the atmosphere on Sunday, his contribution to the club’s history deserves to be acknowledged.
